Unique case study: Impact of single-session neuromuscular biofeedback on motor unit properties following 12 days of Achilles tendon surgical repair.

We explored the first evidence of a single-session neuromuscular biofeedback effect on motor unit properties, neuromuscular activation, and the Achilles tendon (AT) length 12 days after undergoing AT surgical repair. We hypothesized that immediate neuromuscular biofeedback enhances motor unit properties and activation without causing AT lengthening. After 12 days AT surgical repair, Medial Gastrocnemius (MG) motor unit decomposition was performed on a 58-year-old male before and after a neuromuscular biofeedback intervention (surface electromyography (sEMG) and ultrasonography), involving unressited plantar flexion. The analysis included motor unit population properties, sEMG amplitude, force paradigm, and AT length. There were increased MG motor unit recruitment, peak and average firing rate, coefficient of variation, and sEMG amplitude, and decreased recruitment and derecruitment threshold in the repaired AT limb. The non-injured limb increased the motor unit recruitment, and decreased the coefficient of variation, peak and average firing rate, inter-pulse interval, derecruitment threshold and sEMG amplitude. The AT length experienced -0.4 and 0.3 cm changes in the repaired AT and non-injured limb, respectively. This single-session neuromuscular biofeedback 12 days after AT surgery shows evidence of enhanced motor unit properties and activation without signs of AT lengthening when unresisted plantar flexion is performed in the repaired AT limb.

Spatial patterns and determinants of low utilization of delivery care service and postnatal check-up within 2 months following birth in Ethiopia: Bivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: Home delivery is a nonclinical childbirth practice that takes place in one's home with or without traditional birth attendants and postnatal care is the care given to the mother and her newborn baby; according to world health organization (WHO), the postnatal phase, begins one hour after birth and lasts six weeks (42 days). This paper aimed to study the spatial pattern and determinant factors of low utilization of delivery care (DC) services and postnatal check-up (PNC) after live births in Ethiopia. METHODS: This study used the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey data as a source. A total weighted samples of 11023 women-children pairs were included. The bivariate binary logistic regression analyses with spatial effect were modeled using SAS version 9.4 and ArcGIS version 10.8 was used for mapping. RESULTS: The spatial distribution of low utilization of delivery care service and postnatal check-up were significantly clustered in Ethiopia (Moran's I statistic 0.378, P-value < 0.001 and 0.177, P-value < 0.001 respectively). Among 11023 children-women pair, the prevalence of home delivery and no postnatal check-up within two months following birth were 72.6% and 91.4% respectively. The Liben, Borena, Guji, Bale, Dolo and Zone 2 were predicted to have high prevalence of home delivery and part of Afder, Shabelle, Korahe, Dolo and Zone 2 were high risk areas of no postnatal checkup. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Lack of occupation, region, large family size, higher birth order, low utilization of antenatal care visit, unable to access mass media, big problem of health facility distance and the spatial variable were found to be jointly significant predictors of low utilization of DC and PNC in Ethiopia. Whereas older age, being reside in rural area and low wealth status affects delivery care service utilization. We suggest health providers, policy makers and stakeholders consider those variables with priority given to Liben, Borena, Guji, Bale, Dolo, Zone 2, Afder, Shabelle and Korahe, where home delivery and no PNC were predicted relatively high. We also recommend researchers to conduct further studies using latest survey data set.

The Effect of Choline and Resistance Training on Strength and Lean Mass in Older Adults.

Choline plays many important roles, including the synthesis of acetylcholine, and may affect muscle responses to exercise. We previously observed correlations between low choline intake and reduced gains in strength and lean mass following a 12-week resistance exercise training (RET) program for older adults. To further explore these findings, we conducted a randomized controlled trial. Three groups of 50-to-69-year-old healthy adults underwent a 12-week RET program (3x/week, 3 sets, 8-12 reps, 70% of maximum strength (1RM)) and submitted >48 diet logs (>4x/week for 12 weeks). Participants' diets were supplemented with 0.7 mg/kg lean/d (low, n = 13), 2.8 mg/kg lean/d (med, n = 11), or 7.5 mg/kg lean/d (high, n = 13) of choline from egg yolk and protein powder. The ANCOVA tests showed that low choline intake, compared with med or high choline intakes, resulted in significantly diminished gains in composite strength (leg press + chest press 1RM; low, 19.4 ± 8.2%; med, 46.8 ± 8.9%; high, 47.4 ± 8.1%; p = 0.034) and thigh-muscle quality (leg press 1RM/thigh lean mass; low, 12.3 ± 9.6%; med/high, 46.4 ± 7.0%; p = 0.010) after controlling for lean mass, protein, betaine, and vitamin B12. These data suggest that low choline intake may negatively affect strength gains with RET in older adults.

Correlation Study of Chronic Renal Insufficiency and Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Acute Ischemic Cerebral Apoplexy After Intravenous rt-PA Thrombolysis.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between chronic renal insufficiency and the long-term prognosis of patients with acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) thrombolysis. Methods: 290 patients (194 males and 96 females) with acute cerebral infarction who received intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis were admitted to Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital from May 2018 to December 2020. Their clinical baseline data were recorded. According to the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level, patients were divided into the control group (252 cases) and the chronic kidney disease (CKD) group (38 cases). The prognosis of patients was evaluated by a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 90 days after cerebral apoplexy by telephone interview or outpatient following-up (mRS ≤ 2 reflected good prognosis, mRS >2 reflected unfavorable prognosis). Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the prognosis risk relationship of acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy patients with intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis with CKD. Results: Acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy patients with intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis with CKD were older ((79.08 ± 8.96) years vs (65.84 ± 13.31) years, P = .00052, 95% CI = 0.00031-0.00072) than who without CKD, and were more likely to be suffering from hypertension (94.7% (36/38) and 66.3% (167/252), P = .00023, 95% CI = 0.00011-0.00033), atrial fibrillation (50.0% (19/38) and 26.6% (67/252), P = .007, 95% CI = 0.001-0.009), high Uric acidemia (68.4% (26/38) and 17.9% (45/252), P = .00044, 95% CI = 0.00027-0.00061), hyperhomocysteinemia (47.4% (18/38) and 13.1% (33/252), P = .00032, 95% CI=0.00022-0.00053), history of malignant tumor (13.2% (5/38) and 4.4% (11/252), P = .044, 95% CI = 0.0023-0.0053), cardiogenic embolism (Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification of cerebral infarction) (47.4% (18/38) and 29.0% (73/252), P = .038, 95% CI = 0.029-0.055). The mortality rate of the CKD group was higher than the control group (13.2% (5/38) and 4.0% (10/252), P = .033, 95% CI = 0.021-0.053), and the good prognosis rate in the CKD group was significantly lower than in the control group (42.1% (16/38) and 73.8% (186/252), P = .00032, 95% CI = 0.00012-0.00043). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CKD was an independent risk factor for acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy patients undergoing intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis (OR = 4.606, 95%CI 1.176~18.041, P = .028, 95% CI = 0.022-0.043). Conclusion: CKD is an independent risk factor for acute ischemic cerebral apoplexy patients with intravenous rt-PA thrombolysis.

Neurological Dysfunction and Serum Levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß in Patients Undergoing Isoflurane Inhalation Anesthesia: A Correlation Study.

Objective: This study aims to explore the association between neurological dysfunction and serum levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) in patients undergoing isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. Methods: This prospective observational study enrolled a total of 88 patients who underwent isoflurane anesthesia, between April 2019 and April 2020 in our hospital's operating room. The Mini-Mental State Examination scale (MMSE) was administered on the first preoperative day (T0), the 1st postoperative day (T1), the 3rd postoperative day (T2), and the 7th postoperative day (T3). Based on the MMSE score obtained on the 1st postoperative day, patients were categorized into the neurological dysfunction group (n = 23) and the normal group (n = 65). Serum levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß were measured at T0, T1, T2, and T3, and their relationship with MMSE scores was analyzed. Results: Compared to the normal group, the neurological dysfunction group exhibited significantly higher levels of serum IL-6 and IL-1ß at all time points except T0, accompanied by notably lower MMSE scores (P < .001). Combined diagnostic parameters, including area under the curve (AUC) value, sensitivity, and specificity, showed improved performance compared to individual tests. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between serum IL-6 and IL-1ß levels and MMSE scores (r = -0.719, -0.408, all P < .05). Conclusions: Our findings highlight a correlation between neurological dysfunction and serum IL-6 and IL-1ß levels in patients undergoing isoflurane inhalation anesthesia. These cytokines could serve as valuable indicators for the early detection of neurological dysfunction following anesthesia.

The role of mindfulness and dysexecutive functioning in the association between depression and COVID-19-related stress: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Background: Since the COVID-19 outbreak, the severity of college student's mental health has increased, with depression being the most prominent. This study's primary purpose was to explore (1) whether the perceived stress of COVID-19 was associated with depression through sequential mediation of mindfulness and dysexecutive function and also (2) the temporal association among mindfulness, dysexecutive function and depression.Methods: We performed two studies to evaluate dysexecutive function as a mechanism through which mindfulness impacts depression under the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. Study 1 used a sequential mediation model to test the mediating role of mindfulness and dysexecutive function between the perceived stress of COVID-19 and depression based on 1,665 emerging adults. Study 2 used a random-effect, cross-lagged panel model (RE-CLPM) to test the directionality among mindfulness, dysexecutive function, and depression based on 370 emerging adults.Results: The cross-sectional study showed that perceived stress of COVID-19 was positively associated with depression through the sequential mediation of mindfulness and dysexecutive function (effect: 0.08, 95%CI = [0.07, 0.10]), also through the mediation of mindfulness (effect: 0.05, 95%CI = [0.03, 0.06]) and dysexecutive function (effect: 0.08, 95%CI = [0.06, 0.10]) separately. The RE-CLPM study indicated that dysexecutive function mediates the reciprocal relation between mindfulness and depression at the within-person level.Conclusion: These results suggest that dysexecutive function is an intermediate psychological mechanism that exacerbates depression under pandemic-related stress. Mindfulness can predict dysexecutive function and subsequently improve depression. As depression under pandemic-related stress can weaken the mindful state, long-term mindfulness practices are needed to maintain mental health during COVID-19.

Dysexecutive function is a potential cognitive risk factor of depression under pandemic stress using cross-sectional data.The random effect cross-lagged panel model (RE-CLPM) demonstrated temporal association among mindfulness, dysexecutive functions, and depression.Long-term mindfulness practices are needed to maintain mental health under COVID-19 stress.

The Significance and Correlation Analysis of Serum Uric Acid and High Sensitivity CRP in the Energy-Limiting Balance Intervention in Obese Patients.

Objective: Our aim was to explore the effects of the energy-limiting balance intervention on serum uric acid (SUA) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and analyze the correlation between the two. Methods: Retrospectively chosen study patients were 98 obese individuals who received diagnoses and care in Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University between January 2021 and September 2022. The patients were divided into the intervention group and the control group via random number table, with 49 patients in each group. The control group received standard food interventions, while the intervention group received minimal energy balance interventions. The clinical outcomes in both groups were compared. We also compared patients' pre- and post-intervention levels of SUA, hs-CRP, and markers of glucose and lipid metabolism were assessed. Analysis was done on the relationship between markers of glucose and lipid metabolism and SUA and hs-CRP levels. Results: Patients in the intervention and control groups had respective ineffective rates of 6.12% and 20.41%, effective rates of 51.02% and 57.14%, substantial effective rates of 42.86% and 22.45% and overall effective rates of 93.88% and 79.59%. The intervention group's overall effective rate was substantially greater than the control group's rate (P < .05). After the intervention, patients in the intervention group had markedly decreased SUA and hs-CRP levels than patients in the control group (P < .05). Prior to the intervention, there was no clinically meaningful discrepancy between the two groups in terms of fasting blood glucose, insulin, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) or 2 hours postprandial blood glucose (P > .05). Following the intervention there was a statistically significant discrepancy between the intervention group and the control group in terms of fasting blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c and 2 hours postprandial blood glucose (P < .05). According to a Pearson correlation study, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was negatively correlated with the SUA levels and positively correlated with fasting blood sugar, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Before the intervention, there was no clinically meaningful variation in the intervention or control groups in triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL or HDL (P > .05). Following the intervention, patients in the intervention group had markedly decreased triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL levels than patients in the control group, while their HDL levels had substantially increased compared with the control group (P < .05). Fasting blood sugar, insulin, triglycerides and LDL all had a positive correlation with their SUA levels (P < .05). The amount hs-CRP was inversely correlated with HDL (P < .05) and positively correlated with fasting blood glucose, insulin, 2h postprandial blood glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides and LDL. Conclusion: An energy-limiting balance intervention can effectively reduce SUA and hs-CRP, regulate the metabolism of glucose and lipid and were closely related.

Evaluation of Strontium Interference in Calcium Measurement Procedures and Content in Supplements as Measured by ICP-MS.

BACKGROUND: Bone health supplements containing strontium are available without prescription, however, the effects of strontium interference on clinical laboratory calcium measurement procedures are unknown. METHODS: To evaluate strontium interference on total calcium measurements, plasma pools with exogenously added strontium were measured by 3 total calcium measurement procedures. For ionized calcium measurements, whole blood pools prepared with exogenously added strontium were measured by 2 ionized calcium measurement procedures. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry assay (ICP-MS) was validated for research measurements of strontium content in commercially available supplements. RESULTS: Exogenous strontium addition to plasma caused positive bias for total calcium measurements. Strontium concentrations of 1.0 mg/dL (0.114 mmol/L), 2.5 mg/dL (0.284 mmol/L), and 5.0 mg/Dl (0.568 mmol/L) resulted in mean biases of 1.9% to 3.5%, 4.9% to 9.0%, and 10.8% to 19.2%, respectively, for total calcium measurement procedures. Biases for ionized calcium measurements were less than 4.5% for a strontium concentration of 5.0 mg/dL (0.568 mmol/L). An in-house-developed ICP-MS assay for strontium in commercially available supplements exhibited within-laboratory and within-run coefficients of variation of less than 3%, and a linear response was obtained over the assay analytical measurement range of 10 to 100 000 ng/mL (0.0001 to 1.141 mmol/L). Strontium recovery for the ICP-MS assay was 97.1% to 105.3%. The largest amount of strontium measured in dietary supplements was 395 mg in a 1054 mg tablet. CONCLUSIONS: Some dietary supplements contain larger amounts of strontium than indicated on the product label. High concentrations of strontium may cause significant interference for total calcium measurement procedures, but ionized calcium measurement procedures are not significantly affected.

Study of total antioxidant capacity of red raspberry (Rubus idaeous L. ) shoots. / Estudio de la capacidad antioxidante total de brotes de frambuesa roja (Rubus idaeous L. ).

Background: Today, cardiovascular, oncological, and neurodegenerative diseases are the main causes of death in the world, according to official World Health Organization (WHO) statistics. Antioxidants are used to treat and prevent these diseases. In order to develop optimal technology for obtaining drugs based on plant extracts with antioxidant action, it is necessary to determine the total antioxidant capacity of raspberry shoots. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the total antioxidant capacity of red raspberry shoots, study the content of biologically active substances (BAS), and the antioxidant activity of red raspberry shoot extracts obtained during subsequent exhaustive extraction. Methods: The number of phenolic compounds, catechins, flavonoids, and hydroxycinnamic acids was determined by a spectrophotometric analysis method, whereas organic acids were determined by the alkalimetric method in red raspberry shoot extracts; the antioxidant activity of obtained extracts was evaluated by potentiometric method. Results: The total antioxidant capacity of red raspberry shoots was 164.12 mmol-equiv./m dry weight, the sum of the total content of phenolic compounds was 24.40 mg gallic acid (GA)/mL, catechins ­ 21.36 mg epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG)/mL, flavonoids ­ 0.77 mg rutin (R)/mL, hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives ­ 2.56 mg chlorogenic acid (ChA)/mL and organic acids ­ 1.88 mg citric acid (CA)/mL in red raspberry shoot extracts obtained during subsequent exhaustive extraction. The analysis showed that there is a very high positive correlation between antioxidant activity and total phenolic compounds, catechin, flavonoid, hydroxycinnamic acids derivatives, and organic acids content in red raspberry shoot extracts. Conclusions: Total red raspberry shoots' antioxidant capacity has been determined. The study results can be used to develop optimal technology for obtaining drugs based on the extract of red raspberry shoots, which has an antioxidant effect

Contexto: Hoy en día, las enfermedades cardiovasculares, oncológicas y neurodegenerativas son las principales causas de muerte en el mundo según estadísticas oficiales de la Organización Mundial de la Salud OMS. Los antioxidantes se utilizan para tratar y prevenir estas enfermedades. Para desarrollar una tecnología óptima para la obtención de fármacos a base de extractos de plantas con acción antioxidante, es necesario determinar la capacidad antioxidante total de los brotes de frambuesa.Objetivos: El estudio tuvo como objetivo determinar la capacidad antioxidante total de los brotes de frambuesa roja, estudiar el contenido de sustancias biológicamente activas (SBA) y la actividad antioxidante de los extractos de brotes de frambuesa roja obtenidos mediante extracción exhaustiva. Métodos: La cantidad de compuestos fenólicos, catequinas, flavonoides y ácidos hidroxicinámicos se determinó por método de análisis espectrofotométrico, mientras que los ácidos orgánicos por método alcalimétrico en extractos de brotes de frambuesa roja; La actividad antioxidante de los extractos obtenidos se evaluó por método potenciométrico. Resultados: La capacidad antioxidante total de los brotes de frambuesa roja fue de 164.12 mmol-equiv./m de peso seco, la suma del contenido total de compuestos fenólicos fue de 24.40 mg gálico ácido (GA)/mL, catequinas ­ 21.36 mg epigalocatequina-3-O-galato (EGCG)/mL, flavonoides ­ 0.77 mg rutina (R)/mL, derivados de ácidos hidroxicinámicos ­ 2.56 mg clorogénico ácido (ChA)/mL y ácidos orgánicos ­ 1.88 mg cítrico ácido (CA)/mL en extractos de brotes de frambuesa roja obtenidos durante extracción exhaustiva. La correlación analizada mostró que existe una correlación positiva entre la actividad antioxidante y el contenido de compuestos fenólicos totales, catequinas, flavonoides, derivados de ácidos hidroxicinámicos y ácidos orgánicos en extractos de brotes de frambuesa roja. Conclusiones: Gracias a nuestros resultados se ha determinado la capacidad antioxidante total de los brotes de frambuesa roja. Los resultados del estudio se pueden utilizar para desarrollar una tecnología óptima para la obtención de fármacos basados en el extracto de brotes de frambuesa roja, que tiene un efecto antioxidante

Correlation Study of Biological Activity with Quercetin and Phenolics Content in Onion Extracts.

In this study it was shown that the fungistatic and antioxidant activities of onion extracts are related to the type of liquid used as the extractant and the technique of its preparation. A change in the antioxidant properties of white and red onion extracts was demonstrated with the change of the temperature of the pressurized hot water extraction process, which can be easily related to the changes accompanying the process of thermal processing of vegetables and fruits during cooking. Owing to the experimental and mathematical approaches concerning both the main and characteristic components of onions, i.e., quercetin and phenols, respectively, with the biological activity of the extracts, it was possible to demonstrate the significant share of these compounds in the antifungal and antioxidant properties of the extracts. Considering that the research was carried out, inter alia, on onion husks, demonstrating a very high potential of biological properties of this waste material from agricultural production, the research results presented in the paper should encourage the popularization of the use of this so far underestimated raw material for the production of various functional materials.

Modelo explicativo de não adesão ao paradigma psicossocial da saúde mental / Explanatory model of non-adhesion to the psychosocial mental health paradigm / Modelo explicativo de la no adhesión al paradigma psicosocial de la salud mental

Este estudo teve como objetivo propor um modelo explicativo de não adesão ao paradigma psicossocial da saúde mental a partir dos estereótipos, das crenças sobre a etiologia da doença mental, da percepção de ameaça e do preconceito. Para tanto, contou-se com a participação de 400 universitários, com média de idade de 24,64 anos (DP = 6, 64), sendo a maioria do sexo feminino (75,6%). Para a proposição do modelo, foi realizada uma path analysis. O modelo proposto demonstrou que quanto maior a percepção de ameaça e a concordância com o estereótipo de incapacidade, menor o apoio ao paradigma psicossocial. Ademais, verificou-se que as crenças acerca da etiologia da doença mental e os estereótipos estão na base da percepção de ameaça e todas essas variáveis juntas predizem maior preconceito. Os achados desta pesquisa fornecem subsídios científicos para a realização de intervenções eficazes e consistentes que fortaleçam o paradigma psicossocial no cenário nacional. (AU)

This study aimed to propose an explanatory model of non-adherence to the psychosocial paradigm of mental health based on stereotypes, beliefs about the etiology of mental illness, perception of threat, and prejudice. Participants included a total of 400 university students, with a mean age of 24.64 years (SD = 6, 64), mostly women (75.6%). A path analysis was performed to propose the model, which showed that the greater the perception of threat and the agreement with the disability stereotype, the lower the support for the psychosocial paradigm. Furthermore, it was found that beliefs about the etiology of mental illness and stereotypes are at the basis of the perception of threat and all these variables together predict greater prejudice. The findings of this research provide scientific support for effective and consistent interventions that strengthen the psychosocial paradigm on the national scene. (AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo proponer un modelo explicativo de la no adherencia al paradigma psicosocial de la salud mental basado en estereotipos, creencias sobre la etiología de la enfermedad mental, percepción de amenaza y prejuicio. Para ello participaron 400 estudiantes universitarios, con una edad media de 24,64 años (DS = 6,64), siendo la mayoría mujeres (75,6 %). Para la proposición del modelo, se realizó un path análisis. El modelo sugerido demostró que, a mayor percepción de amenaza y concordancia con el estereotipo de discapacidad, menor apoyo al paradigma psicosocial. Además, se encontró que las creencias sobre la etiología de la enfermedad mental y los estereotipos están en la base de la percepción de amenaza y todas estas variables en conjunto predicen un mayor prejuicio. Los hallazgos de esta investigación brindan soporte científico para ejecutar intervenciones efectivas y consistentes que fortalezcan el paradigma psicosocial en el escenario nacional. (AU)

Correlation Study between the Organic Compounds and Ripening Stages of Oil Palm Fruitlets Based on the Raman Spectra.

The degree of maturity of oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) at the time of harvest heavily affects oil production, which is expressed in the oil extraction rate (OER). Oil palm harvests must be harvested at their optimum maturity to maximize oil yield if a rapid, non-intrusive, and accurate method is available to determine their level of maturity. This study demonstrates the potential of implementing Raman spectroscopy for determining the maturity of oil palm fruitlets. A ripeness classification algorithm has been developed utilizing machine learning by classifying the components of organic compounds such as ß-carotene, amino acid, etc. as parameters to distinguish the ripeness of fruits. In this study, 47 oil palm fruitlets spectra from three different ripeness levels-under ripe, ripe, and over ripe-were examined. To classify the oil palm fruitlets into three maturity categories, the extracted features were put to the test using 31 machine learning models. It was discovered that the Medium, Weighted KNN, and Trilayered Neural Network classifier has a maximum overall accuracy of 90.9% by using four significant features extracted from the peaks as the predictors. To conclude, the Raman spectroscopy method may offer a precise and efficient means to evaluate the maturity level of oil palm fruitlets.

[A correlation study of moxibustion time and moxibustion effect of long snake moxibustion in intervention of recurrent exopathogenic diseases in patients with yang-deficiency constitution].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the time-effect relationship of long snake moxibustion in intervening recurrent exopathogenic diseases of patients with yang-deficiency constitution in different moxibustion periods and provide a scientific basis for the selection of long snake moxibustion in preventing and treating recurrent exopathogenic diseases of patients with yang-deficiency constitution. METHODS: Ninety patients with yang-deficiency constitution who met the inclusion criteria of recurrent exopathogenic diseases were randomly divided into a 30 min group, a 60 min group, and a 90 min group, with 30 cases in each group. Long snake moxibustion was applied once a week from Dazhui (GV14) to Yaoshu (GV2) for different periods (30, 60, and 90 min), 12 times (12 weeks) in total. The scores of yang-deficiency constitution quality scale and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) before treatment, after treatment, and six months after treatment, as well as attack times of exopathogenic diseases within one year before treatment and after treatment in the three groups, were observed and recorded. RESULTS: After treatment and 6 months after treatment, the yang-deficiency quality scale scores and FSS scores of the three groups were lower than those before treatment (P<0.01), which decreased in the sequence of the 30 min group, the 90 min group, and the 60 min group (P<0.05). Within one year after treatment, the attack times of exopathogenic diseases in the three groups was lower than that within one year before treatment (P<0.01), which decreased in the sequence of the 30 min group, the 90 min group, and the 60 min group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The optimal moxibustion time of long snake moxibustion on the recurrent exopathogenic diseases of patients with yang-deficiency constitution is 60 min.

Correlation Analysis of Data of Tongue and Pulse in Patients With Disease Fatigue and Sub-health Fatigue.

Fatigue is one of the most common subjective symptoms of abnormal health state, there is still no reliable and stable evaluation method to distinguish disease fatigue and non-disease fatigue. Studies have shown that tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis are the reflection of overall state of the body. This study aims to explore the distribution rules and correlation of data of tongue and pulse in population with disease fatigue and sub-health fatigue and provide a new method of clinical diagnosis of fatigue from the perspective of tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis. In this study, a total of 736 people were selected and divided into healthy controls (n = 250), sub-health fatigue group (n = 242), and disease fatigue group (n = 244). TFDA-1 tongue diagnosis instrument and PDA-1 pulse diagnosis instrument were used to collect tongue image and sphygmogram, simple correlation analysis and canonical correlation analysis were used to analyze the correlation of tongue and pulse data about the two groups of fatigue people. The study had shown that tongue and pulse data could provide a certain reference for the diagnosis of different types of fatigue, tongue and pulse data in disease fatigue and sub-health fatigue population had different distribution rules, and there was a simple correlation and canonical correlation in the disease fatigue population, the coefficient of canonical correlation was .649 (P <.05).

Assessment of the ameliorative effect of curcumin on pendimethalin-induced genetic and biochemical toxicity.

The present study aimed to assess the toxic effects of pendimethalin herbicide and protective role of curcumin using the Allium test on cytological, biochemical and physiological parameters. The effective concentration (EC50) of pendimethalin was determined at 12 mg/L by the root growth inhibition test as the concentration reducing the root length by 50%. The roots of Allium cepa L. was treated with tap water (group I), 5 mg/L curcumin (group II), 10 mg/L curcumin (group III), 12 mg/L pendimethalin (group IV), 12 mg/L pendimethalin + 5 mg/L curcumin (group V) and 12 mg/L pendimethalin + 10 mg/L curcumin (group VI). The cytological (mitotic index, chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage), physiological (rooting percentage, root length, growth rate and weight gain) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde level, superoxide dismutase level, catalase level and glutathione reductase level) indicators were determined after 96 h of treatment. The results revealed that pendimethalin treatment reduced rooting percentage, root length, growth rate and weight gain whereas induced chromosomal abnormalities and DNA damage in roots of A. cepa L. Further, pendimethalin exposure elevated malondialdehyde level followed by antioxidant enzymes. The activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were up-regulated and glutathione reductase was down-regulated. The molecular docking supported the antioxidant enzymes activities result. However, a dose-dependent reduction of pendimethalin toxicity was observed when curcumin was supplied with pendimethalin. The maximum recovery of cytological, physiological and oxidative stress parameters was recorded at 10 mg/L concentration of curcumin. The correlation studies also revealed positive relation of curcumin with rooting percentage, root length, weight gain, mitotic activity and glutathione reductase enzyme level while an inverse correlation was observed with chromosomal abnormalities, DNA damage, superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation indicating its protective effect.

Auditory Oddball Responses Across the Schizophrenia-Bipolar Spectrum and Their Relationship to Cognitive and Clinical Features.

OBJECTIVE: Neural activations during auditory oddball tasks may be endophenotypes for psychosis and bipolar disorder. The authors investigated oddball neural deviations that discriminate multiple diagnostic groups across the schizophrenia-bipolar spectrum (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, psychotic bipolar disorder, and nonpsychotic bipolar disorder) and clarified their relationship to clinical and cognitive features. METHODS: Auditory oddball responses to standard and target tones from 64 sensor EEG recordings were compared across patients with psychosis (total N=597; schizophrenia, N=225; schizoaffective disorder, N=201; bipolar disorder with psychosis, N=171), patients with bipolar disorder without psychosis (N=66), and healthy comparison subjects (N=415) from the second iteration of the Bipolar-Schizophrenia Network for Intermediate Phenotypes (B-SNIP2) study. EEG activity was analyzed in voltage and in the time-frequency domain (low, beta, and gamma bands). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were compared with those from an independent sample collected during the first iteration of B-SNIP (B-SNIP1; healthy subjects, N=211; psychosis group, N=526) to establish the repeatability of complex oddball ERPs across multiple psychosis syndromes (r values >0.94 between B-SNIP1 and B-SNIP2). RESULTS: Twenty-six EEG features differentiated the groups; they were used in discriminant and correlational analyses. EEG variables from the N100, P300, and low-frequency ranges separated the groups along a diagnostic continuum from healthy to bipolar disorder with psychosis/bipolar disorder without psychosis to schizoaffective disorder/schizophrenia and were strongly related to general cognitive function (r=0.91). P50 responses to standard trials and early beta/gamma frequency responses separated the bipolar disorder without psychosis group from the bipolar disorder with psychosis group. P200, N200, and late beta/gamma frequency responses separated the two bipolar disorder groups from the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Neural deviations during auditory processing are related to psychosis history and bipolar disorder. There is a powerful transdiagnostic relationship between severity of these neural deviations and general cognitive performance. These results have implications for understanding the neurobiology of clinical syndromes across the schizophrenia-bipolar spectrum that may have an impact on future biomarker research.

Reversal of Insulin Resistance in Overweight and Obese Subjects by trans-Resveratrol and Hesperetin Combination-Link to Dysglycemia, Blood Pressure, Dyslipidemia, and Low-Grade Inflammation.

The dietary supplement, trans-resveratrol and hesperetin combination (tRES-HESP), induces expression of glyoxalase 1, countering the accumulation of reactive dicarbonyl glycating agent, methylglyoxal (MG), in overweight and obese subjects. tRES-HESP produced reversal of insulin resistance, improving dysglycemia and low-grade inflammation in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Herein, we report further analysis of study variables. MG metabolism-related variables correlated with BMI, dysglycemia, vascular inflammation, blood pressure, and dyslipidemia. With tRES-HESP treatment, plasma MG correlated negatively with endothelial independent arterial dilatation (r = -0.48, p < 0.05) and negatively with peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) quinone reductase activity (r = -0.68, p < 0.05)-a marker of the activation status of transcription factor Nrf2. For change from baseline of PBMC gene expression with tRES-HESP treatment, Glo1 expression correlated negatively with change in the oral glucose tolerance test area-under-the-curve plasma glucose (ΔAUGg) (r = -0.56, p < 0.05) and thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) correlated positively with ΔAUGg (r = 0.59, p < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) correlated positively with change in fasting plasma glucose (r = 0.70, p < 0.001) and negatively with change in insulin sensitivity (r = -0.68, p < 0.01). These correlations were not present with placebo. tRES-HESP decreased low-grade inflammation, characterized by decreased expression of CCL2, COX-2, IL-8, and RAGE. Changes in CCL2, IL-8, and RAGE were intercorrelated and all correlated positively with changes in MLXIP, MAFF, MAFG, NCF1, and FTH1, and negatively with changes in HMOX1 and TKT; changes in IL-8 also correlated positively with change in COX-2. Total urinary excretion of tRES and HESP metabolites were strongly correlated. These findings suggest tRES-HESP counters MG accumulation and protein glycation, decreasing activation of the unfolded protein response and expression of TXNIP and TNFα, producing reversal of insulin resistance. tRES-HESP is suitable for further evaluation for treatment of insulin resistance and related disorders.

Transient deterioration of albumin-bilirubin scores in early post-dose period of molecular targeted therapies in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with 50% or higher liver occupation: A STROBE-compliant retrospective observational study.

ABSTRACT: Real-world clinical cases of molecularly targeted agent (MTA) administration to patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with ≥50% liver occupation have been reported, but treatment outcomes have rarely been described. We have encountered several cases in which albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) scores deteriorated markedly and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels elevated in the early post-dose period. The present study therefore investigated early clinical changes in ALBI score and CRP levels after initiating MTA in advanced HCC patients with ≥50% liver occupation, focusing on antitumor response at 6 weeks.This retrospective study included 46 HCC patients with liver occupation ≥50% and 191 patients with <50%, Child-Pugh score ≤7, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status scores of 0 or 1, who were treated with sorafenib or lenvatinib as first-line systemic therapy at our hospital between June 2011 and January 2020. We analyzed their medical records up to March 2020 and investigated the outcomes and changes in CRP and ALBI scores classified according to antitumor response at 6 weeks.Overall survival was significantly longer in patients with partial response (PR) + stable disease (SD) (13.7 months) than in patients with progressive disease (PD) (1.7 months, P < .001) in the ≥50% group. Patients with antitumor response of PR + SD at 6 weeks in the ≥50% group showed more marked deterioration of ALBI score at 2 weeks than those in the <50% group. These significant differences between groups had again disappeared at 4 and 6 weeks. Focusing on patients with PD at 6 weeks, ALBI score deteriorated over time in both groups. Regarding CRP, on 6-week PR + SD patients, a significant increase in CRP levels at 1 and 2 weeks was evident in the >50% group compared to the <50% group. These significant differences between groups had again disappeared at 4 and 6 weeks. In PD patients, no difference between groups in CRP elevation occurred at 1 and 2 weeks.In MTA treatment for patients with ≥50% liver occupation, to obtain an antitumor response of PR + SD, adequate management might be important considering transient deteriorated ALBI scores and elevated CRP levels.

Micro RNAs 26b, 20a inversely correlate with GSK-3 ß/NF-κB/NLRP-3 pathway to highlight the additive promising effects of atorvastatin and quercetin in experimental induced arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory disease with challenging therapeutic potential due to the implication of cross-talking intracellular pathways in the pathogenesis of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the combination therapy of atorvastatin and quercetin on glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta/ nuclear factor kappa-B/ nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing-3 or inflammasome (GSK-3ß/NF-KB/NLRP-3) pathway as well as on microRNAs 26b and 20a (miR-26b, miR-20a) and to investigate the possible beneficial outcomes of the combination to offer a better treatment option than methotrexate (MTX) in adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA). Assessment of arthritis progression, serum inflammatory, and oxidative parameters were done. The tibiotarsal tissue expression of the inflammatory parameters was evaluated. Western blot analysis was done to assess the expression level of the important members in the GSK-3ß/NF-κB/NLRP-3 pathway. Furthermore, the expression level of both microRNAs and serum level of transaminases were determined. All treatments, especially the combination regimen, abated arthritis progression, the elevated serum level of inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in arthritic rats. Moreover, They down-regulated the gene expression of the important members of the aforementioned signaling pathway, amended the tissue levels of inflammatory parameters and elevated the expression level of miR-26b and miR-20a. Finally, we concluded that the combination therapy modulated miR-26b and miR-20a as well as GSK-3ß/NF-κB/NLRP-3 pathway, provided additive anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects and offered an additional hepatoprotective effect as compared to untreated arthritic rats and MTX-treated groups, suggesting its promising role to be used as replacement therapy to MTX in RA.